The Role Of The University

The Role Of The University

Nation needs it, and it can only thrive with academic freedom and institutional autonomy

C Raj Kumar

23.03.2021 

Universities have been forums of knowledge creation and exchange, and they continue to play an instrumental role in transforming nations into knowledge societies. Over time, their academic freedom has been curtailed, and their significance as tools of social change has diminished. The Academic Freedom Index established by the Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi) has demonstrated that academic freedom has been challenging for universities in several nations. Albert Einstein famously observed, “By academic freedom, I understand the right to search for truth and to publish and teach what one holds to be true. This right also implies a duty: One must not conceal any part of what one has recognised to be true.”

Recent events that have taken place in a reputed Indian university are only a reflection of the more significant public concern across the world relating to academic freedom, institutional autonomy and regulatory stringency. While many issues of academic freedom are being debated in the public domain, we need to engage in a deeper and more nuanced analysis of these issues, which will shape the future of universities in India and across the world.

At the outset, it needs to be mentioned that academic freedom is fundamental to any university in the world. Democracies take pride in the fact that they’ve precious spaces in society where freedom of speech is duly protected and promoted. In a democracy that celebrates freedom of expression of diverse views, ideological dogmatism of any kind, either from the Left or from the Right, will not help universities. At the heart of academic freedom is preserving democratic ideals consistently, promoting pluralism and nurturing democratic institutions.

Our challenge as educators is to recognise the complex role universities play as social organisations. No unique circumstances favour or disfavour a public or private university to promote academic freedom within its institutional context. However, there’re undoubtedly historical, social, political and economic factors contributing to institutionalising academic freedom in some societies more than others.

The fundamental objectives of university governance are based on the following three principles to promote academic freedom, while ensuring institutional autonomy. First, all recruitment, appraisal and assessment of faculty and staff ought to be entirely undertaken within the university. They must be performance-based, following the policies, rules and regulations of the university. The powers for decision-making to implement these processes must be vested in the university’s leadership, which includes the faculty and staff. Outsiders, including the most generous donors, should be excluded from this process. Internal governance of a university is central to protecting academic freedom, and it has to be led by the faculty and not anybody from outside the university.

Second, all decisions relating to the formulation of programmes, curriculum, courses, pedagogy and establishment of schools/ departments ought to be determined within the university as per established policies, rules and regulations of the university with all powers of decision-making vested within the faculty and staff of the university. While these decisions are taken in consonance with the laws, rules, regulations and guidelines given by the various government and regulatory bodies and based on international best practices, nobody from outside the university should exercise control or influence in these decisions.

And third, all decisions relating to the research that’s undertaken by the faculty members, including their publications ought to be based upon the principles of academic freedom and intellectual autonomy. Those faculty members who’re involved in academic research ought to have full autonomy to determine the type of research projects and initiatives, including the topics of research that they undertake, and the outcomes of the research. While the faculty members will be engaging in research and publications that’ll speak truth to power, it should be based upon evidence, especially when the intention of the research is to inform policy-making.

Going forward, we need to recognise the importance of two central aspects of university governance for academic freedom to be meaningfully institutionalised in Indian universities. One, regulatory freedom. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has envisaged substantive regulatory reforms to empower Indian universities.

Regardless of their public or private character, universities in India are hugely dependent on multiple stakeholders for effective internal governance. These stakeholders are internal and external to the institution. Without achieving substantive regulatory freedom, no university can function in a genuinely autonomous manner and protect the academic freedom of faculty and students. I believe that this is the intention of NEP 2020 as well, which promotes “a ‘light but tight’ regulatory framework to ensure integrity, transparency, and resource efficiency … while encouraging innovation and outof-the-box ideas through autonomy, good governance, and empowerment.”

Two, universities need to develop a culture of transparency in which important decisions are taken after proper consultation with all stakeholders. The need for consultation, communication and consensus-building is imperative. However, for decisions to have legitimacy and acceptance, there ought to be the fundamental and foundational aspect of trust, respect and collegiality among all stakeholders. Only then will disagreements not lead to acrimonious engagements that can vitiate the academic and intellectual ecosystem, and universities must guard against that.

The vision and imagination of NEP 2020, if implemented in letter and spirit, will enable Indian universities to provide world-class education, while promoting excellence and contributing to nationbuilding. ‘Atmanirbharta’, for the nation, institutions, especially universities, is intertwined with the fundamental principles of freedom, autonomy and governance.

The writer is founding Vice-Chancellor of OP Jindal Global University

NEP 2020 has envisaged substantive regulatory reforms to empower Indian universities ... Internal governance of a university is central to protecting academic freedom, and it has to be led by the faculty and not anybody from outside the university

Colleges told to go back to online mode from Tuesday

Colleges told to go back to online mode from Tuesday

The State government on Monday ordered all colleges to conduct online classes from March 23, due to rising Covid cases.

Published: 23rd March 2021 05:37 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The State government on Monday ordered all colleges to conduct online classes from March 23, due to rising Covid cases. The order also directed colleges to finish pending practical classes and exams by March 31.

Chief Secretary Rajeev Ranjan, in a statement, said that the decision was reached after discussion with officials from the Higher Education Department and Health Department. Classes for all higher educational institutions, including colleges and polytechnic, will be held online for six days a week.

Exceptions will be made for Science, Engineering and Polytechnic students, who can complete their practical classes and exams by March 31. The order further said that all semester exams will be held online. However, instructions are pending on whether hostel facilities will remain open for residential students.

50% medicos in DK dist not vaccinated due to hesitancy

50% medicos in DK dist not vaccinated due to hesitancy

Kevin.Mendonsa@timesgroup.com

23.03.2021 

Mangaluru: Close to half the medical and nursing student community in Dakshina Kannada district is yet to be vaccinated. Officials say this is due to misinformation and influence of social media.

M Venkatraya Prabhu, dean, Kasturba Medical College, Mangaluru, said about 70% of medicos including postgraduates in his college have been vaccinated.

“Yes, a number of them are refusing to get the shot and the prime reason is misinformation and negative news,” Prabhu said. “We aim to achieve 100% vaccination by the end of May.”

In Nitte (deemed university) about 5,000 students, faculty, and non-teaching staff have been vaccinated. “While this number appears high, many [medical/dental/nursing students] have not come forward to take the jab,” said Dr Satheesh Kumar Bhandary, vice-chancellor. “The big reason is misinformation, pressure from parents urging them not to take the vaccine and psychological fear of side effects.” Dr Satheesh said he took both doses and his antibody count has increased.

However, many who earlier refused the jab are now turning up for the shot. “When the drive began, there were two schools of thought: One who were for the vaccine and the other who were hesitant,” said Ramachandra Bairy, DHO. “Many who were opposed to the vaccine are taking the shot now.”

Govt increases gap between Covishield shots to 4-8 wks

Govt increases gap between Covishield shots to 4-8 wks

‘Shield Enhanced If 2nd Jab Taken After 6-8 Weeks’

New Delhi:23.03.2021 

The health ministry on Monday revised the interval between two doses of the Covishield vaccine to 4-8 weeks, from the existing 4-6 weeks, after evidence showed higher efficacy following a longer gap between the shots.

The revised time interval between two doses is applicable only to Covishield and not to Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. Raising the interval between two doses is also likely to be an added advantage in covering more people as the AstraZeneca shot has been the mainstay of India’s vaccination drive. TNN

Expert groups recommended a longer window between shots

A longer window between shots can partly address concerns that vaccinations, despite the increase in sessions, are still not proceeding fast enough. The government could focus on ensuring that as many people as possible get the first shot with a longer timeframe for the second dose.

In a letter to states and UTs, health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, “Keeping the existing scientific evidence in view, it appears that protection is enhanced if the second dose of Covishield is administered between 6-8 weeks, but not later than stipulated period of 8 weeks.”

The move is based on recommendation by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) and by National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC) after reviewing the issue in accordance with the emerging scientific evidence. “During this meeting, the recommendation has been revised to provide second dose of Covishield at 4-8 weeks’ interval after the first dose, instead of earlier practised interval of 4-6 weeks,” the ministry said.

›Inoculating bedridden elders a challenge, P 2

‘Lung damage shows virus hasn’t lost sting’

‘Lung damage shows virus hasn’t lost sting’

Sumitra.DebRoy@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:23.03.2021 

Mumbai’s doctors have witnessed a rapid deterioration of the lung in select young Covid patients, prompting them to reiterate that the virus has not lost its sting completely. A subset of these patients has been asymptomatic for the initial few days before going on to have severe disease.

Doctors at SevenHills Hospital in Andheri have treated a 40-year-old who went from mildly symptomatic to high oxygen dependence in four days. Intensivist Dr Rahul Sawalia said she subsequently needed a non-invasive ventilator despite having been detected on the second day of symptoms. It was an unusual case as involvement of 80% of the lung takes a minimum of 10 days. “We have observed this swift progression in a few young patients in the second wave,” he said. In another case, a patient’s lungs developed a fully cloudy appearance in a span of 18 hours that he took to travel from his native place to SevenHills. This patient was a senior citizen and couldn’t be saved.

A similar prognosis has now been flagged by experts at the civic-run BKC jumbo facility too. Here, doctors have not just seen young patients deteriorating fast, they found that many were completely asymptomatic in the initial few days. Civic authorities have been harping that even though cases were rising, a vast majority were asymptomatic. Doctors are worried though that it was sending out a mixed signal as many are delaying tests or seeking care.

A senior doctor from BKC jumbo hospital said 15-20% of the asymptomatic cases are coming with X-ray reports showing an involvement of lungs. “Patients whose X-rays are bad also have high D-dimer levels, indicative of active formation of blood clots,” said the expert, adding that in spite of blood thinners, D-dimer remains high. “The improvement is very slow in these patients, and when they deteriorate, it’s very fast,” he added.

The Covid death audit committee has noted at least five deaths in young patients. “It has been reported to us. We are trying to understand if this quick progression is more common than we know,” said Dr Avinash Supe, the panel chairman, adding that young lives shouldn’t be lost because of late hospitalisation.

Vashi’s MPCT Hospital has treated a 27-year-old who came in critical condition and had to be started on remdesivir and non-invasive ventilator immediately on admission. Doctors found 80% of his lungs were involved by the eighth day. Intriguingly, despite persistent symptoms, he wasn’t advised a Covid test. “We saved him since he came at the right window, but people cannot take it lightly thinking everyone will be asymptomatic,” said MPCT CEO Dr Prince Surana.

Vax crunch in K’taka, B’luru may run out of stock in three days

Vax crunch in K’taka, B’luru may run out of stock in three days

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:23.03.2021 

Vaccination in Karnataka may have to be paused if the state doesn’t receive its next consignment of 12 lakh doses in the next couple of days.

Several hospitals in Bengaluru have either received very few vials or none at all. At several sites, senior citizens were sent back as there has been no supply from BBPM, Bengaluru’s civic body. While the state has targeted vaccinating 3 lakh persons a day, it may not meet the mark due to the acute shortage.

Health commissioner K V Trilok Chandra told TOI the state has been waiting for 12 lakh doses of Covishield and they could land this week. The state has so far received 31 lakh doses, including 3.9 lakh doses of Covaxin. Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (PHANA) president Dr HM Prasanna said some of its hospitals have faced vaccine shortage. “No vaccine was supplied to my hospital for the past two days but we got it on Monday. At this pace, we’ll take years to cover all the vulnerable populations,” Dr Prasanna, who heads Pristine hospital in Bengaluru West, said.

Though BBMP’s target is1 lakh people a day, it records 30,000-35,000 vaccinations. “By that scale, we have stocks for three days,” said BBMP special health commissioner Rajendra Cholan.

India logs 40,000 cases again, in third place after Brazil and US

India logs 40,000 cases again, in third place after Brazil and US

Atul.Thakur@timesgroup.com

23.03.2021 

For the fourth consecutive day, more than 40,000 fresh cases were reported in the country and the steady increase of cases has once again pushed India to become the world’s third-worst affected country in terms of daily cases.

Data compiled by WHO shows that once again the trio of Brazil, the USA and India are leading the world in daily cases. WHO data shows that on March 22, Brazil had reported 79,069 new cases, the highest in the world, followed by the US at 60,228 and India 46,951 cases. Analysis of daily case data for the past few days shows that India reached the third spot on March 19 and since then it has maintained that position.

India reported 40,622 fresh cases, with data from Assam yet to arrive till late at night. An analysis of state-wise data shows that the increase in daily cases was no longer confined to few a states. Despite being a Monday, when cases dip every week, at least 9 states reported the highest case count since January or earlier Gujarat for instance reported 1,640 cases on Monday, the highest ever in the state. Today’s cases were higher than 1,607 cases reported on the earlier peak that the state reached on November 27. Similarly, Monday saw the highest cases this year for Chhattisgarh (1,525), Madhya Pradesh (1,348), Delhi (888) and Himachal Pradesh (200). Tamil Nadu also reported 1,385 cases on Monday which was the highest since December 14. Rajasthan on the other hand reported 602 cases which were the highest since January 1. Similarly, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha too reported the highest cases since January 10 and January 24 respectively.

Meanwhile, Punjab saw a big surge in fatalities on Monday, with 58 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, the highest in the country along with Maharashtra, which also recorded 50 fatalities.

So many peaks at the state level suggests that it is highly likely that there is a pan-India resurgence of cases and if cases continue to this level then it might soon breach the 50,000 mark. Although Maharashtra reported 24,645 cases on Monday which is over 60% of the cases reported in the country the disease is no more confined alone in Maharashtra as cases are steadily increasing elsewhere as well. The case count was over 1,000 for Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab.

Deaths too were increasing and the daily toll breached the 200 mark on Sunday.

SPIKE CONTINUES: The daily toll breached the 200-mark on Sunday